Maintenance firm focuses attention on 412 mosques in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: A programme to ensure the upkeep of all mosques in Abu Dhabi with the exception of the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque is progressing well.

Some 412 mosques across the emirate are currently being maintained by a company called MAF Dalkia after it launched the initiative on August 1 following the signing of a three-year contract with Musanada, the facilities management and shared services department of the Abu Dhabi government.

The company also looks into issues relating to air-conditioning, plumbing, electro-mechanical maintenance, preventive and corrective maintenance and currently has 22 teams on the job at various mosques.

"We started maintaining all mosques in the capital city excluding Shaikh Zayed's Grand Mosque. We maintain mosques in the following areas: Al Adla, Al Bahiya, Al Falaha, Al Khatam, Al Kuma, Al Rahba, Al Samha, Al Chamkha, Al Shilila, Al Shawamekh, Al Wathba, Baniyas, Bateen, Khalidiya, Mafraq, Manassir, Mohammad Bin Zayed, Mushrif, RAK area, Reem Island, Saadiyat, Tourist Club," Alexandre Mussallam, CEO of MAF Dalkia, stated

S. Sifat, 22, a Bangladeshi resident, observed: "I go to a mosque in Bainounah area on Fridays and it is very well-maintained. However, women's praying areas in older mosques might need to have work done. In addition mosques that see a lot of worshipers should be maintained more frequently."

Another resident, I.I. 33, from Egypt, said: "I go to couple of mosques in Khalidiya and wish the women section receives more attention."

MAF Dalkia is a joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim Group (MAF), and Dalkia, a European company whose main business is outsourcing and delivering multi-utility solutions.